Apple seeks US sales ban on eight Samsung products

Apple is seeking a ban on the sale of eight Samsung devices in the US after it won its patent case against the Korean manufacturer on Friday (24 August).

The iPhone manufacturer was awarded $1.05bn in damages after convincing a jury that Samsung had copied key features of its flagship smartphone and iPad. The jury rejected Samsung's claims that Apple had breached some of its own patents. An injunction hearing has been set for 20 September.

The Guardian reported that Apple needs to prove four things in order to get a sales ban imposed. The manufacturer must demonstrate 'irreparable injury' from Samsung's sale of the devices; that the financial damages are inadequate; that another remedy is needed; and that banning the sale of the devices is not against the public interest. Reuters reported that the Samsung Galaxy S II was among the devices singled out by the Cupertino company.

Analysts said Apple now has a strong chance of enforcing a sales ban. Jefferies & Co analyst Peter Misek said: 'The evidence and weight of the case are heavily in Apple's favour. We expect there's a two-thirds chance of an injunction against Samsung products.'

A source told Reuters that Samsung had already started working with operators in the US to adapt infringing features on its devices in order to keep them on sale. The court ruling prompted an angry response from the Korean manufacturer. An internal memo said: 'History has shown there has yet to be a company that has won the hearts and minds of consumers and achieved continuous growth, when its primary means to competition has been the outright abuse of patent law, not the pursuit of innovation.

'We trust that the consumers and the market will side with those who prioritise innovation over litigation, and we will prove this beyond doubt.'

The ruling has had a knock-on effect on share prices across the industry. Apple added just over $12bn to its market capitalisation, with shares increasing 1.9% to close yesterday (27 August) at $675.68. Samsung lost the same amount in market capitalisation on the Seoul Stock Exchange on Monday, although shares increased by 1.8% today (29 August).

Meanwhile, Google, whose Android operating system has been a key plank in Samsung's success, saw its shares close 1.4% lower at $669.22. Nokia's shares increased by 7.7%, while BlackBerry manufacturer Research In Motion also saw its shares close 2% higher yesterday.